Stampede get past weather, IMG, 3-0

On a night marred by four weather delays, one coaching decision helped push the Ocala Stampede to a 3-0 victory against IMG Academy Bradenton on Thursday at Trinity Catholic.

By John PattonCorrespondent

On a night marred by four weather delays, one coaching decision helped push the Ocala Stampede to a 3-0 victory against IMG Academy Bradenton on Thursday at Trinity Catholic.After very few offensive opportunities were available either way with the game scoreless at halftime, Stampede coach Cheyne Roberts inserted Kyle Breitmeyer in the 55th minute. Playing in just his third game since joining the team 10 days earlier, Breitmeyer, Ocala's second-leading scorer in 2013, responded with a goal in the 57th minute and another in stoppage time. That, along with a penalty kick goal from Ilija Ilic in the 87th minute, allowed the Stampede (7-1-2, 23 points) to up their lead to 10 points with four games remaining in the Southeast Division of the Premier Development League's Southern Conference."We just thought the (wet) field was playing poorly for us, so we wanted a player out there who could run into space," Roberts said. "It was a tactical decision."Roberts stressed the move had everything to do with Breitmeyer's speed and not the performance of who he replaced, Jack Bailey, who, at 6-foot-3, created Ocala's two best scoring opportunities of the first half."Jack played very well," Roberts said. "We're pretty confident with either guy out there."The Stampede have not clinched a playoff berth, but at this point, it is almost as if they are ahead by three goals with four minutes of stoppage time remaining.Second-place teams IMG (4-5-1) and SW Florida Adrenaline (3-2-4) each have 13 points and are a combined 0-3-1 against Ocala.Should the Stampede reach the playoffs, they (along with their division runner-up) would be matched up with the top two teams in the Mid South Division, Right now, those clubs are the Austin Aztex (8-1-1, 25 points) and Midland/Odessa Shockers FC (6-3-2, 20 points). The team with the best record would host the other three in a weekend of playoffs, meaning that, even with its large division lead, it behooves Ocala to continue winning.However, for now, Roberts isn't looking in that direction."We haven't clinched a playoff spot," Roberts said. "So, the focus is next Tuesday's (home) game against Orlando City."